Continue: Right Click on the Appalachian Trail

by Phillip Valentine

Phillip considered himself a successful man – satisfied with his work in the recovery field and happily grateful for his family. Life was proceeding swimmingly until pesky lumps in his neck progressed into a diagnosis of Stage 4 oropharyngeal cancer; a mass had grown on the back of his tongue. The subsequent treatment cured him but left him decimated, discouraged, and despondent. Mired in depression and despair, Phillip received a divine invitation… to walk the Appalachian Trail.

Phillip had never hiked a long distance. His limited backpacking experience entailed a one-week Adirondack excursion as a teenager. Hence, an adventure spanning more than six months and 2,000 miles along a mountain range seemed reckless but exhilarating. Four years of preparation did not adequately equip an aging 55-year-old man for all he would encounter. The rugged trail, extreme weather, and challenging people tested his resolve. However, the most ominous threat to his thru-hike proved to be his emotions.

While chronicling the miles walked, sites seen, and options chosen, Phillip delves into how decades of working a program of recovery enabled him to consistently monitor and adjust his attitude – vital for completing any thru-hike. He openly and vulnerably discusses the peaks and valleys of his emotional roller coaster, how his ‘crew’ bolstered, encouraged, confronted, and tested him, and the power wielded in attitude.

Continue is a story about human relationships – with each other, nature, and a power greater than ourselves.

And a triumphant ending certainly helps.

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2022

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a better-than-average book about one man’s journey on the Appalachian Trail. He avoids the pitfalls of making it a boring travelogue by focusing on the people and relationships he forms on the trail. Mr. Valentine goes from 250 pounds at the start to about 190 pounds when he finishes and, as everyone says, the journey transforms his life. Some takeaways:

1. Mr. Valentine is quite an emotional guy and the writing brings a lot of the emotion through. In some ways this is good, in other ways, man, he cries…a lot! 🤷‍♂️

2. He is pretty open about his feelings specifically in regards to one guy who is in his trail family whom he basically kicks out. It’s interesting that when someone else threatens to kick HIM out of his trail family (for a poor attitude), he immediately apologizes and asks for a second chance which he receives. An exercise in humility and repentance.

3. Tough love. When Mr. Valentine considers quitting the trail after getting to New Hampshire (1800 miles in), he gets a voicemail from his recovery director (Mr. Valentine is a recovering addict) that says only: “Hey. I hear you may be having some difficulty, thinking about quitting. My wife saw it on Facebook. Listen. You have two noble options left. Finish this thing or die trying.” Mr. Valentine loved the direct nature of the message and went on to complete the trail.

I enjoyed reading the book.

[Edwin Hare]

Amazing story of faith, commitment and adventure.

Although this is a great read from an adventure story standpoint alone of what it is like to thru hike the Appalachian Trail and the physical and emotional struggles that are inherent in such an undertaking it's the rest of the story that had me going cover to cover in two days. From surviving stage 4 cancer and committing to the journey after a higher power challenge, Phil uses all he has learned in years of recovery to get through the challenges he faces over 189 days on the AT. So well written it's like being there with him. Great read!

[Katie Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful memoir of Phil’s adventures on the Appalachian Trail. I cannot imagine walking that far for that long, but I got to experience it vicariously through his detailed account. He has a simple writing style that allowed him to paint a clear picture of the struggles, challenges, joys and accomplishments he encountered along the way. Phil persevered through it all, motivated by God’s healing (from cancer), and His provision of protection throughout the 6 month journey on the trail. Inspiring. I will probably never hike the AT, but I’m inspired to just CONTINUE through the hard moments, and rely on God to do so.

[Lori G · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice surprise

I have read dozens of books about hikers on the AT and frankly I only read this one because it was free and the author lives in the same town as I do. We even have the same orthopedist and so I got hooked. He did a decent job of expressing his feelings and follies and I’m happy that he was able to conquer this challenge. I forget sometimes how hard it must be to maintain sobriety, and so thanks for the lessons.

[Janet Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that details not only the immense physical challenges encountered when thru-hiking the AT, but also the psychological ones as well. A moving tribute to the crucial roles that faith, family and friendship play in our lives.

[Misty McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging and Epic!

Right Click bring’s you with him on his epic journey of the AT. The understanding and gratitude of God’s presence along the trail is remarkable! We all fall, but we need to remember that there’s always a hand reaching out to lift us up!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the better trail stories written

I have read many books about hiking the AT and I must say this did not disappoint. The author describes all the various aspects of the hike in an easily relatable way. He just makes everything interesting. Highly recommend.

[Susan Bisbing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read!

Absolutely beautiful book. The trials on the trails and descriptions were so like
like. I felt as if I was on the trail with everyone.

[JoeytheBROfessor · Rating 5 out of 5]

a good read about a thru hike

Love the stories of the trail. The real life struggles while on the trail and the tramily made while there. Real life stories.